IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS)

e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 9 Ver. III (Sep. 2015), PP 05-08
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Prevalence of Pulp Stones In Urban and Rural Population of

Latur Maharashtra and the Challenges Encountered: An
Endodontic Perspective
Dr.Sunanda Gaddalay,Dr Mariyam Pathan, Dr.Anita Kale,
Dr.Yogesh Ahhirao4
1

(Prof. HOD.Department of conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MIDSR Dental College, Latur India. )
( P.G. 2nd Year Department of conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MIDSR Dental College, Latur India )
3
( Prof. Department of conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MIDSR Dental College, Latur India.)
4
(Asso.Prof.Department of conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MIDSR Dental College, Latur India.)

Abstract:
Background: Pulp stones are discrete calcified masses found in the dental pulp. Etiology and development of
the pulp stones are largely unknown..
Aim: To determine the prevalence of pulp stones in urban and rural population of latur, Maharashtra
Material And Methods: 250 dental out patients within age group of18 to 70 years were involved in the study.
Bitewing radiographs of right and left side of each patient was taken using intraoral radiographicunit, presence
or absence of pulp stones was recorded .Data was analyzed by statistics program for windows version
Results: pulp stones were detected in 112 out of 250 patients.prevalence of pulp stones was 44.8%.pulp stones
occurrence was higher in males than females, higher in mandible 51.4% than maxilla 48.6%,higher on left side
than right side, higher in molars than premolars, and higher in first molar than second molar.
Conclusion: pulp stones can hamper endodontic treatment but with advances in endodontic instruments and
techniques this is unlikely to alter their relevance to clinicians
Keywords: Bitewing radiography, Endodontics,Pulpstones.

I.

Introduction

Pulp stones are discrete calcified bodies in the dental pulp of healthy, diseased and Unerupted teeth (1),
frequently found on bitewing and periapical radiographs .stones may be free Attachedorembedded
(2).occurrence of pulp stones is more in molars than followed by premolar. (3)Etiology of pulp stones is not
exactly known, several factors have been implicated in pulp stone formationlike caries, deep restoration(4),
chronic inflammation, interaction between epithelium and pulp tissue(5), circulatory disturbance in pulp(6),
age,(7) genetic predisposition(8), Orthodontic tooth movement(9)&calcifyingnanoparticles(2). Pulp stones
obliterate the pulp chamber making it difficult for access during root canal treatment. Pulp stones may cause
discomfort & pain so radiographic interpretation of pulp stones is helpful in diagnosis and formulating
atreatment plan.

II.

Material And Methods

The study was conducted in the Department of conservative dentistry &EndodonticMIDSRdental

college &hospital latur over a period of 4 months. A total of 250 dental out patients withinage group of 18-70
years were randomly involved in this study. Ethical clearance was taken prior to commencement of study.
Patients were informed about the study written consent was obtained. Detailed case history was taken in the
designed format that included patient information regarding age, gender, occupation, medical and dental history,
habits, dental status,
DMFT index, attrition, abrasion&periodontalstatus.Inclusion criteria-maxillary and mandibular molars
and premolars of both sides, teeth with Shallowfillings. Exclusion criteria-grossly destructed teeth, deepfillings,
teeth with crown &bridges, wisdomteeth&poorradiographs. Bitewingradiographsof molar right &left side of
each patient was taken using intra oral radiographic unit operating at 70 KVP &8MA by standard exposure
conditions. Radiographs were interpreted for the presence or absence of pulp stones by two different examiners.
Only those radiographs which had similar interpretation were considered & those radiographs which had
different opinion was cross examined by senior faculty member analysis were performed by SPSS statistics
.Program for windows version (spss version)

DOI: 10.9790/0853-14930508

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Prevalence of Pulp Stones In Urban and Rural Population of Latur Maharashtra and the
III.

Results

Prevalence of pulp stones in both the gender was 44.8% ,pulp stones occurrence was higher in males
than females, higher in mandibular arch than maxillary arch, higher in molar teeth than premolar, higher in right
side than left side&Higher in first molar than second molar.

IV.

Discussion:

In the present study incidence of pulp stones has been reported to be 44.8% which is higher than the
results of the study by Ranjitkaret.al(10)10.3% and Baghdady et.al(1)14.8%Prevalence of pulp stones was
higher in males than females.However literature states that prevalence is more common in females than males
the reason might be bruxism that causes longstanding irritation on dentition and it is more common in females
Accordingly arch prevalence was higher in mandibular arch than maxillary which is in accordance with the
study of Baghdady et.al.(1)Prevalence of pulp stones was higher in molars than pre molars in literature the
possible explanation is molars are the largest teeth in the arch that provide better supply of blood to pulp tissue
and have the strongest force in the arch, that leads to greater precipitation for calcificationPrevalence of pulp
stones was higher in first molar than second molar which is in agreement with the study by Baghdady(1)et al
&ranjitkar(10)et al.
According to results of our study pulp stone prevalence was more on left side than right side which is
in agreement with studies by Ranjitkar(10)&sisman(12)pulp stones can be detected accidentally on a radiograph
,however pulp stone detection is possible when diameter is more than 200mm(5)various conditions in which
pulp
stones
are
commonly
found
includes
Dentin
dysplasia
type2,familial
expansileosteolysis,Elfinfaciessyndrome,tumoralcalcinosis,Elhers-danlos
syndrome
type1,osteogenesis
imperfect type1(4,10).
Bitewing radiography was preferred over periapical and panoramic technique ,as distortion is common in
latter.In literature various studies have found a correlation between pulp stones and various systemic diseases
like cardiovascular diseasae,hypertension,type 2 diabetes mellitus, gastritis.Edds et al(13) found incidence of
pulp stones was higher in subjects with cardiovascular disesases.so detection of pulp stones can be helpful in
diagnosis of systemic diseases.
Distribution of Patients According To Gender
GENDER

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

MALE

116

46.4

FEMALE

134

53.6

TOTAL

250

100

Distribution Of Patients Found Pulp Stone According To Gender

GENDER

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

MALE

59

52.7

FEMALE

53

47.3

TOTAL

112

100

DOI: 10.9790/0853-14930508

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Prevalence of Pulp Stones In Urban and Rural Population of Latur Maharashtra and the
Distribution Of Pulp Stone According To Arch
ARCH

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

MAXILARLY

154

48.6

MANDIBALAR

163

51.4

TOTAL

317

100

Distribution of Pulp Stone Teeth According To Type of Teeth

TYPE

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

PREMOLAR

19

5.9

MOLAR

298

94.1

TOTAL

317

100

Distribution of Pulp Stone Teeth According To Side

SIDE

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

LEFT

168

53

RIGHT

149

47

TOTAL

317

100

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Prevalence of Pulp Stones In Urban and Rural Population of Latur Maharashtra and the
Distribution of Pulp Stone Teeth According To Molar Type
TYPE

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

FIRST

169

56.7

SECOND

129

43.3

TOTAL

298

100

V.
Conclusion
Pulp stone can hamper endodontic treatment in hindering and negotiation of canals but recent
advances in endodontic instruments and techniques its effect is largely neaturalized for the clinician . detection
of pulp stones can be important factor in diagnosing systemic diseseases.

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